Whether or not you’ve seen the new hit movie “Wonder Woman” you will appreciate the spiritual ideas that came Ingrid Peschke as she was viewing it. She poses the idea that we, also, can become a “Wonder Woman” or a “Wonder Man” when we identify with spiritual qualities, rather than gender labels. “Wonder Woman Film Busts Stereotypes and Got Me Thinking Spiritually,” was first published on June 30th 2017 in the Huffington Post.

When I was seven, my mom dressed up as Wonder Woman for a costume party. A photo of her taken that night was taped to our family’s refrigerator for years. There she stood striking her best superhero pose in knee-high boots, hands placed confidently on star-studded shorts with a gold band on her forehead and cuffs around her wrists.

This image served as a symbolic reminder to me that, costume or not, I could face adversity and limitation with dominion and strength, confidence and grace, just as Mom did in her life.

I also grew up watching the iconic Linda Carter television version of the comic book character, so naturally I had a seat for the opening night of the recent blockbuster film, Wonder Woman. Finally an action movie that successfully proved to audiences that a female superhero is perfectly able to conquer evil without relying on sheer muscle and violence.

The film explores Wonder Woman’s origins as Diana, princess of the Amazons, who is both an adept warrior, trained solely by her all-female tribe, as well as a compassionate, witty and intelligent woman who can converse in countless languages. The film’s director, Patty Jenkins, highlights the importance of love and kindness and brings context and warmth to the Wonder Woman character, convincingly portrayed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

I came away pondering, as I often do, spiritual truths, including the qualities women bring to the table in facing adversity in our world today. Women who occupy prominent positions in government, business, artistic, and religious life, and those who make great sacrifices to raise their families have unique opportunities to bring peace and solutions to otherwise intractable situations.

The film brought to mind the phrase “…woman goes forth to battle with Goliath.” It comes from a book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, that has helped me surmount my own battles over the years. The author, Mary Baker Eddy, faced down real adversity in her own life, including illness, poverty, near death, widowhood and estrangement from her only son, to eventually become the founder of a worldwide Christian religion. Even then, the obstacles kept coming at a time when women hardly had a voice, let alone a place in the pulpit.

My colleague Eric Nelson has written a beautiful letter to his goddaughter on the occasion of her First Communion. Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of communion, Eric describes it as daily being fed, inspired and cared for by God. His blog was first published in Communities Digital News on June 19, 2017 .

Dear Isabella,

What a joy it was to watch you taking part in your first Holy Communion. Everything about the event – the music, the prayers, the cheerful priest, you in your pretty white dress – all of it made for a truly memorable day.

I remember seeing you the night you were born, attending most of your eight birthday parties and showing up for a handful of your soccer games and school productions. But for some reason, seeing you walk down the aisle of St. Robert’s Church stands out as the most special moment of them all. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this was the first time since your christening that you and I had taken part as fellow Christians in such a sacred ceremony.

Although I’d never attended an event like that before, communion is something I celebrate every day, just not in the same way. Like you, perhaps, I see communion as a kind of promise I make to do my best to be just as good, just as generous, just as loving as Jesus – only without the bread and wine.

Nineteenth century spiritual thought leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us that “When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress.” Steven Salt expounds on this idea as it applies to our health in “Building our Expectations.” Steven’s blog was first published on Cleveland.com on June 14, 2017. Here’s Steven ~

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” Mark Twain made that observation years ago when jokingly offering his philosophy on what it takes to stay healthy. Obviously, his expectations for lasting health were not too Today we are treated to a similar message through various sources that a disease-free life is practically impossible to maintain without the intervention of diets, drugs, exercise routines, therapies, and more. With the constant barrage in media to “do this to stay healthy,” we are accepting a subtle, but relentless sub-message that illness is inevitable.

What are your health prospects? It is an important question. If living by a “Murphy’s Law” mentality you are essentially portending anything that can go wrong will happen to you at some point in time adding to a life full of doubt and anxiety.

On the other hand, giving your consent to living a life grounded by spiritual, guiding principles that supersede health uncertainties empowers you to be the expression of wellness. There is Biblical authority behind having this kind of outlook. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Please enjoy this news release from The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, MA.

June 5, 2017 Boston, MA — In today’s culture of political divisions and religious strife, Christian Scientists spoke at their church’s annual meeting of “a new spirit” emerging, which is calling forth the best in people across denominational and national lines.

In an interview, the chair of the denomination’s board of directors, Allison Phinney, pointed to the simplest of signs seen at a nearby Methodist church in Boston’s South End: “God is Love.” “You are Loved.” “Justice.” Said Phinney: “Materialism doesn’t satisfy. It is Spirit, God, that brings us into newness of life, shifting thought, revealing the power of church.”

“Newness of life”—a Biblical expression—was integral to this year’s meeting. The theme, “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life,” came from the denomination’s textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by church founder Mary Baker Eddy. The meeting took stock of the challenges as well as the promise facing many Christian denominations in this period.

These very challenges have prompted many to look to their core values as people of faith, the board emphasized. In these core values is the power that renews individual lives and revitalizes churches and society as a whole.

There’s an awakening, Phinney said, to the fact that “we have to work together, that it requires the practical Christianity, which Christian Scientists would term healing, so evident in the life and love of Christ Jesus.” It is bringing out “a new spirit of joy and healing at work in our own movement right as communities around the world are searching for deeper answers to human needs.”

The recent launch of a daily digital edition of the 109-year-old Christian Science Monitor is one result of this deeper look at core values. According to church officials, it represents a modest new beginning, focusing less on the number of Internet hits and more on the Monitor’s basic ideal of healing and impartial journalism. “We’re seeing ever stronger demands for just treatment of all the members of human society,” Phinney noted, “and we know it is Spirit, God, the divine influence and energy, that is touching the heart of humanity.”

The new church president introduced at the meeting, Irmela Wigger of Hamburg, Germany, is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher active in the ministry of spiritual healing. Following a tragic incident of violence in her family some years ago, her church family brought her through. “Church is about serving God,” she said, “and from this serving we get a pouring out of Love—God’s love—you can’t imagine.”

According to the church’s clerk, Suzanne Riedel, new members joined the church from 29 countries, including Australia, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Mauritania, Mexico, Portugal, Togo, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, as well as the United Kingdom and United States. The meeting included reports of healing as well as church progress.

Founded 138 years ago, the Church of Christ, Scientist, is a Christian denomination based on the Bible. The use of the term “Science” refers to what Mary Baker Eddy saw as the spiritual laws of God as understood and demonstrated by Jesus. Members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, including the physical sciences. Said board member Rich Evans, “We don’t equate serious spiritual commitment with ignorance or unreasonable belief.” The conclusions of the Christian Science founder “were untraditional in some respects, but she thought deeply about the relation between practical Christianity and demonstrated proof of God’s great love for humanity.”

My colleague, Tim Mitchinson, has another great blog. This one, “Praying for our troops,” is perfect for Memorial Day ~ and every day. Tim reminds us that “acknowledgement of the omnipotence of God can help all of us in the ‘battles’ we face every day.” This blog was first published in the Evanston Patch on May 22, 2017.

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to remember those who have served this country in the armed forces and those who are currently serving. While many of us fly our flags and have tears in our eyes when soldiers come home to their families, have we considered the importance of praying for the safety of our troops each day?

Perhaps we don’t pray for our troops because we don’t think it will have much effect, but the Bible promises, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” (James 5: 16), and there is ample proof that this is true. There are so many accounts one can read of individuals who, in a time of great need, found God’s help right at hand.

For example, C.B. Morlock, a war correspondent during World War II, chronicled this amazing incident: “Sixty German aircraft strafed more than four hundred men who were pinned down on the sandy Dunkirk beaches without the benefit of any place to take cover. Although the men were repeatedly attacked by machine guns and bombed by enemy aircraft, not one single man was hit. Every man in that group left the beach without a scratch.”

What brought about such amazing protection? Morlock said he’d been personally told by Navy men who picked up those particular survivors from Dunkirk, that the men had shouted Psalm 91 at the top of their lungs!

But is prayer relevant today? During Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Carey H. Cash said he “saw firsthand what happens when belief in Almighty God floods the hearts and souls of men and women rushing into battle.” He continued, “This supreme confidence in God is not foxhole religion or superficial faith. It is a life-changing decision to place oneself in the loving hands of Him who is greater than the battlefield.” And he concluded that such faith is vividly demonstrated in the words of Psalm 91.

My colleague, Tim Mitchinson, recently attended a conference on “The important role of compassion in healthcare.” In his latest blog he reflects on what he learned and how it relates to his own practice of spiritual healing. One of the conference participants spoke of the challenges of their hospice and hospital work, but added, “Instead of saying our work is hard work, which it is, know that it is holy work.” Tim’s blog was first published on May 17, 2017 in the Peoria Journal-Star.

Early in my spiritual healing practice I went to visit a homeless man who was living temporarily in a motel. He was suffering from extreme mental distress and intense fear. I talked to him for a while, sharing ideas I hoped would calm and comfort him, but he only became irrationally angry with me, and as I got in the car to leave, he slammed the car door on my leg.

As he pushed and pushed, he said, “I am going to push this door until I break your leg.” I was just quiet. Soon, he let go. I got out of the car and sat down in the parking lot with him and he talked for over an hour. I listened, and we prayed together. He quieted down, and stated he needed someone to listen to him and pray with him. He was much better when I left. Shortly after that, he found an apartment he could afford and lived there happily for quite a while. From that experience, I learned the importance of compassion in helping others.

Compassion was the theme of this year’s “Caring for the Human Spirit” Conference in Chicago. Sponsored by the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, this year’s speakers focused on the important role compassion plays in patient care. Held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, the conference was attended by 300 hospital and hospice chaplains, nurses and social workers, and via video conferencing by professionals from all over the world – from the Netherlands and Germany to Ethiopia and Kenya.

According to the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, 87% of patients call spirituality important in their lives and according to one survey, 72% of patients articulated that they received minimal or no spiritual support from the medical team. To remedy this, Dr. Harold Koenig, M.D. of Duke University contends that patients need spiritual care generalists – physicians, nurses, social workers, etc, and spiritual care specialists – board certified chaplains (those who have completed a Master’s degree in Divinity or its equivalent in an area relevant to professional chaplaincy).

This weekly blog comes a day early as an encouragement to think more deeply about Mother’s Day. “Easing the stress of motherhood” is a heartfelt post by my colleague Tim Mitchinson. It was first published on May 9, 2017 in the Peoria Journal-Star. Enjoy a deep dive into a better understanding of the Divine ever-present Mother!

As Mother’s Day approaches, I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to every mom out there! The demands on today’s moms are great. Babies and toddlers need constant care, and as children grow there is homework to supervise, sports or dance activities to take kids to, counsel to offer regarding college choices, etc., not to mention meals to prepare, laundry to do, and financial obligations to meet!

But motherhood does not need to be overwhelming or frustrating, even during stressful situations. I remember a flight I took to Los Angeles a few years ago in which a young mother was struggling with her crying infant. The baby eventually fell asleep, but when he awoke, he began crying all over again. Because of delays and rerouting, what was to be a four hour flight turned into a seven hour one, and the baby was not happy!

Many of us felt compassionate toward this mother, but others were visibly upset. You could tell she was doing the best she could, but the stress level on the plane was rising, especially that of the dear mother. Finally one man took out his little dog who was traveling with him. He walked the dog near the child, who became enthralled with this little creature. A much calmer, quieter flight continued to Los Angeles.

I’ve often thought about that in the years since. It certainly was a caring and loving action this man and his dog took, but could it be, even without realizing it, that the man was acting under the impulse of divine Love, God’s mothering care? It is an interesting aspect of God, one not often discussed. The Bible relates God’s fathering nature and shepherding care, but this verse from Isaiah opens thought to God’s mothering identity: “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you:” (Isaiah 66:13).

In his latest blog, Eric Nelson clears up any confusion that prayer can be considered the same as placebos. “The difference between placebos and prayer,” was first published in Communities Digital News on May 1, 2017.

“The difference between placebos and prayer,” said Dr. Harold Koenig during a workshop he was giving at Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, “is that with placebos we know there’s no active ingredient, whereas with prayer we know there is.”

A compelling assertion, to be sure, especially in light of so many these days who are quick to equate the two concepts, particularly in situations where someone is praying for better health. Prayer, they say, not unlike a placebo, is simply a means of fooling the brain into believing whatever it wants to believe and, in so doing, generating whatever chemicals it deems necessary to bring relief to the body.

This is not to say that those who pray for physical healing aren’t seeing consistent results. Oftentimes they are, with plenty of research, including Dr. Koenig’s, to back them up. The sticking point lies in how these results are interpreted.

This is a thoughtful op-ed piece on “Taking care of children – a Christian Scientist’s perspective,” by Rich Evans. The op-ed was first published on PennLive on April 20, 2017.

Children are society’s tenderest concern. They’re dear not only to their parents and families but to all good people everywhere.

The laws relating to their care matter enormously. It’s often said, rightly, that the character of a society is judged by its care for children and others unable to care for themselves.

This is the perspective Christian Scientists bring to the recent news reports on the death of a child in a religious group noted for faith healing and opposition to medicine.

The care of our children comes first for us. It isn’t a second priority somewhere below “religious beliefs.” I say this as a father and grandfather as well as a Christian Scientist. And I say it simply as a human being.

Christian Scientists have raised many hundreds of thousands of children over the century-plus since the church’s founding.

We’re a diverse group, but most of us, at least, aren’t unyielding or unthinking people. Deeply as we value religious freedom, we recognize that it isn’t absolute, but needs to be balanced with what’s best for society as a whole.

Can we think more deeply about “fake news” than the superficial and sometimes cynical reports on this subject in the media? My colleague from Australia, Kay Stroud, writes about the connection between spirituality, consciousness and health. She has some important ideas about “Clearing up “fake news” on every front.” Kay’s blog was first published on February 24, 2017, in the Sunshine Coast Daily.

The recent disclosures about “fake news” in the media illustrate that we need to be more alert than ever to discern if what’s being said is fact or fiction.

We’re actively seeking truth, rather than blindly accepting everything we hear or read as fact. Even in the smallest of affairs, the power and effect of honesty are felt and appreciated.

Honesty is not only desirable in our dealings, it’s also linked to better health.

Research suggests that frequent lying, deceit, fabrication, or misrepresentation of the truth in our lives or in our conversations – or even accepting “fake news” as truth – can have unexpected ramifications, leading to stress and chronic pessimism.

One study at a university found that lying and cheating were common and even became quite acceptable as fellow-students were also seen to be lying and cheating.

Furthermore, behavioural scientist, Professor Dan Ariely from Duke University, postulates* that we all lie to some degree, with rationalisations for our actions including the desire to look clever or cooler to others (to be the person we wish we were) or to obtain some reward.

However, in the study, cheating decreased dramatically when participants were asked to swear on the Bible or sign an honour code, or try to list the Ten Commandments before the test. Then, not one cheated!

The results suggest that, when the presence of a higher power is brought to bear on the situation, it spurs us to identify ourselves with the truthful behaviours we associate with divinity. And, this, lifts us out of poor behaviours.

Welcome!

I serve as the Christian Science Committee on Publication for New Mexico. The goal is to share a spiritual perspective on health and to engage in conversation while exploring how thought impacts health. Wayne Hicks 505-235-6824 Newmexico@compub.org

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